A little girl, left, peeks under a voting booth at an array of legs at the Southwick Town Hall this morning. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – As voters around the Commonwealth of Massachusetts head for the polls today, the candidates campaigning for their votes are out and about as well, making the final push that they hope will put them in office.
In the race for the 4th Hampden District seat in the state House of Representatives – a district composed entirely of the city of Westfield – the incumbent, Democrat John Velis, is confident he will prevail again in his rematch with Republican City Councilor Dan Allie, who he narrowly defeated in their April 1 special election.
“We’re happy right now. I think overall, people are happy with what I’ve done, which is essentially what I said I’d do – put Westfield first,” said Velis this morning. “I’ve considered what is in Westfield’s best interest with everything I do. Every vote I’ve taken is a reflection of that.”
Velis believes that people in Westfield – and nationwide – are absolutely disgusted with the two-party system.
“I think people are looking for candidates and elected officials who are going to come forward and say ‘enough,'” said Velis. “Let’s solve a problem and compromise for the people that elected us, as opposed to representing ourselves.”
Velis’ opponent in the 4th Hampden race, Dan Allie, is also geared up for the big day, hoping for a different result than what occurred this spring.
“This election, with all the ballot questions, is about the direction of our state and issues,” said Allie. “During the special election, people were trying to figure out ‘Who is John Velis? Who is Dan Allie?’ and they focused on us.”
Allie said he has focused on how statewide taxation issues have affected the 4th Hampden voters more this time around and when asked if he would emerge the victor this evening, he replied that he and his team are “feeling very good.”
“By all indicators we’re doing very well and you can’t ask for anything more,” said Allie. “There’s more important things than winning – this is about people and that’s why I’m doing this. The more people we get involved and educated, the more problems we solve and that’s really what it is all about.”
In the race for the 2nd Hampden-Hampshire District seat in the state Senate has also been a hotly contested affair, with incumbent Republican Don Humason, Jr. locked in a tight one with first time Democratic candidate Patrick Leahy, a Holyoke Realtor and police officer.
Despite this being his first venture into state politics, Leahy is confident that he has made a compelling case to the voters of the 2nd Hampden-Hampshire District, composed of the cities of Agawam, Easthampton, Holyoke, Westfield and parts of Chicopee, as well as the hilltowns west of Westfield.
“We’re pumped and getting a great response. I know I’m winning 1-0 in Ward 7 (in Holyoke), maybe 2-0 assuming my wife votes the right way,” Leahy laughed. “We’re having a great time. There have been a ton of people at the polls, so it’s all good right now.
Leahy said that getting out to different areas of the district and realizing that many towns and cities in the district deal with the same issues has been a huge part of the campaign.
“Even though I’m familiar with all the cities and towns, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know people in the district,” he said. “Sitting down and going into coffee shops and having conversations with people.”
Leahy wasn’t the only candidate who was chipper and upbeat this morning, as Humason is also in good spirits today, confident he will earn a two-year term of his own.
“My goal was to talk about what I’ve done and my ability to work with everyone on Beacon Hill, as I’ve already done,” he said. “I’ve only been in the Senate for 11 months, but I feel like I’ve already gotten some good accomplishments done. I’ve built some bridges between me and the other senators.”
When asked of what he anticipates happening this evening, Humason is preparing for a party.
“I don’t predict a blowout. I think it’s going to be close and hard fought,” he said. “But in the end, I’m looking forward to a comfortable win.”
